NAD recently announced the immediate availability of their Masters Series M32 DirectDigital Amplifier ($3999 MSRP). According to the press release, the M32 is an elegant, top-of-the-line, BluOS ready, integrated amplifier with a host of features that offers maximum flexibility and excellent efficiency with reduced noise and distortion. M32 also includes a phono input and a dedicated headphone amplifier to accommodate music lovers of all kinds.
DirectDigital amplification combines all pre-amplification and power amplification functions into a single amplifying stage. Delivering 2x150W, the M32 is a true digital amp (not just a Class D power stage design) that is computer controlled and amplifies entirely in the digital domain, converting to analog at the speaker terminals.
As for the M32’s advanced design architecture, flexibility and expandability are front and center. There are four MDC (Modular Design Construction) slots with three for customization and expandability and all are 24/192 capable.
Among the most compelling features on the M32 is that it is multi-room and high-res ready with the optional BluOS module that can occupy one of the MDC slots and fully integrate, literally becoming part of the M32. BluOS is an advanced operating system for music management and control that includes support for local NAS drives and premium internet streaming audio services like Spotify, Tidal and many others. All the popular formats are supported including MQA, AAC, Ogg, MP3, Bluetooth aptX – wherever or however music is accessed it can be enjoyed with the BluOS equipped M32, the company says.
Users can control BluOS with an app for smartphone, tablet or desktop and can take advantage of extensive 3rd party control system integration for seamless system performance and reliability. Moreover, the M32 with BluOS is a wireless multi-room system fully compatible with the amazingly affordable Bluesound wireless loudspeakers and digital music players for mix-and-match system flexibility.
M32 connectivity features include AES/EBU, coax and optical standard 24/192-capable digital inputs, USB A-Type and B -Type ports, MM Phono and single ended line level analog inputs. Computer streaming is Asynchronous (up to 24/192). On the output side, there is a dedicated, high performance, headphone amplifier and two sets of loudspeaker outputs, capable of bi-wiring, and a subwoofer output with a fully configurable digital crossover.